It's exercise. It's environmentally friendly. It's fun. It even has its own celebratory week.

Yes, this is the week where we celebrate all that's great about cycling. June 9 – 17 is Bike Week 2018, a week where we recognise the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling.

Believe it or not, Bike Week has been running for 95 years – but with concerns about the health of the nation and the environment more pressing than ever, cycling has never been more important than it is today.

There are lots of great events taking place up and down the country during Bike Week. Thinking of getting involved? Make sure your bike is ready to go with our complete guide.

Get a free bike check

Like any mode of transport your bike needs to be looked after and regularly checked for wear and tear. If you aren’t sure where to start, head to Halfords – its team of bike experts are happy to answer any questions and recommend the best bikes and accessories for you.

To ensure your bike is fit for summer, Halfords also offer a free bike check . The 32 point inspection includes:

Starting out

Bike week is all about encouraging more of us to get out on our bikes and embrace the benefits cycling has to offer. If your little ones have never cycled, now is the time - the younger they start, the more confident they'll become.

A balance bike is a great way to encourage your child to get the feel of riding a bike without relying on stablisers. The Carrera Coast Balance Bike is incredibly lightweight, making it perfect for tots to learn how to balance, steer and lean. Accessories that team well with it are the Blue Flames helmet , Blue Horn , and Blue Pad set .

If your child prefers to start out with stabilisers, the the Apollo range comes in great designs they'll love - including the Apollo 12" Cupcake Bike, £70 (save £5) which looks good enough to eat and comes with matching helmet , bell,mitts and pad set .

Alternatively, the Apollo Gridlok Kids' Mountain Bike -24" , £155, is a more budget-friendly option that's still perfect for kids who are raring to get outside and race down the hills. Its front suspension absorbs the bumps, while the Shimano 18 speed gearing lets them fly along the flat roads.

For added peace of mind, Halfords offer free bike building service on all of its children's bikes. This includes a 22-point safety check and free 6-week service to ensure everything is running as it should. Plus, until June 21, buy a kid's bike and get £10 worth of kids' accessories for free.

Time to upgrade?

If you don't currently own a bike or you're thinking of treating yourself to a new model, Halfords have a huge range of bikes for sale online and in its stores, and its expert staff can help you find the one that best suits your needs - whether you're looking to head to the hills on a mountain bike or get a helping hand from an electric bike .

Bike Maintenance and Accessories

Wheels

Before setting off on a cycling trip, there are a number of things you need to check to keep things safe - starting with your wheels.

If you haven't been out on the bike recently then the tyres may have deflated. To test them, inflate them, and check them after a few days. If they've deflated, you might have a puncture.

A tyre sealant, like Slime Bike Tyre Sealant, £9.99, can help to prevent punctures. This liquid is pumped into the tyre to prevent future holes from causing a problem.

If you're planning a big family cycling trip then you'll also want to make sure you have a compact pump with you when you're out and about. Check out the Bikehut High Pressure Bike Pump (now £15, save £4).

Chain

In the unlikely event that you suffer a broken chain, it's really worth having a repair kit with you, especially if you're mountain biking. Check out the Park Tool Mini Chain Brute Tool for just £9.98, which is ideal if you need to repair a broken chain on the road.

It's important to use chain oil or lubricant to keep the chain in good working order. The cheapest option is to use cycle oil - costing just £4 - but you may choose to opt for a more expensive lubricant like Muc-Off , which is weather resistant.

You should clean your chain before applying lubricant - there are special cleaners to help with this.

Gears

The best way to keep your gears in check is with regular servicing , but if you do encounter a problem, it's best not to attempt to fix it yourself.

Instead, get an in-store Halfords expert to help you get your gears working again.

If your family do a lot of cycling, then taking out a Halfords Adult Bike Care Plan and the Kids Plan is a worthwhile investment. These plans are a great way to leave the dirty work to someone else, as well as providing peace of mind that your bike is being looked after by Halfords highly trained experts.

Prices start from £15 for kids' bikes and £25 for adult bikes and include free fitting on parts and accessories bought from Halfords, as well as a free Silver Bike Service worth £50.

Brakes

Every bike needs regular checks on its braking system, as you ride it's inevitable that cables stretch slightly and brake pads can wear down. It's another good reason to invest in a regular service at Halfords.

But you can, and should, test them yourself as well to ensure they stop the wheels. Inspect the brake pads regularly to make sure they’re aligned with the rims.

Bolts

Halfords Basic 6 piece allen key set, £5.99

The last step for bike maintenance should be to check the bolts, like those on the wheels, are well tightened. There's no need to over-tighten, as this can cause problems too, but make sure nuts are all firmly secured. A spanner set or special bike tool will be needed, but the Halfords Basic 6 piece allen key set is just £5.99 and should cover most bike nut sizes.

Lights

Make sure there are good lights attached to your bikes in case your cycle ride goes on later than planned! Halfords has a Silicone Light Set for just £15 that attaches to pretty much any bike in seconds.

If you're off on a cycling trip, the last thing you'll want to be doing is carting batteries around, so consider investing in a Rechargeable Bike Light Set, £25. They recharge by USB, and feature high, low, and flashing modes.

For little cyclists there are also a brightly-coloured Silicone Bike Light available for £4 in blue, green and pink for all tastes.

Cycling clothing

Like any sport, cycling involves wearing the right kit - both to keep you visible to other road users, and to keep you safe in the event of an accident.

A welll fitting helmet can seriously reduce the risk of a head injury, so you should get your kids in the habit of wearing one whenever they are out on their bikes.

But the best way to encourage your kids to wear a helmet is to lead by example by wearing one yoursellf. The HardnutZ Stealth Hi Vis MTB Helmet is a good choice at £35 (down from £55), and is available in four colours. One of its key advantages is that its highly reflective under street lamps and car headlights.

Being seen is crucial for any cyclist, young or old. Grab a family pack of Halfords Hi Vis Vests for just £11.99 and the four vests (two adult-sized and two kid-sized) will make everyone much much more visible on the roads. Vests are also available individually .

Setting off

Once you're fully kitted out, you'll be needing a way to transport your bikes.

A good choice is the Thule ProRide 591 Roof Mount Bike Carrier, which is pre-assembled and requires no tools. You'll require one per bike - but the good news is that it's currently 20% off at £85, as well as buy one, get one half price.

Make sure you are Really Ready For Summer with Halfords. Visit www.halfords.com or go in-store for full details on all offers and services. Prices correct at time of publication. Offers end August 5.